Swartz Creek marching band readies for season

Photo | Jim Cheek A walk-through raises a few smiles as the Swartz Creek High School Marching Band practices their moves.

SWARTZ CREEK, Michigan — Members of the high school marching band are tuning up their sound and moving their feet to gear up for the fall season.

The band will rock out to music from the Yes at its pre-game show before the Sept. 5 football game and its entire show Sept. 12.

"They're going to see something different than what everyone else is doing," said John Michailo, co-director of the high school marching band.

Michailo said he arranges the music so the band can play unpublished rarities, which ups their energy for the shows.

Since finishing band camp in early August, the group has spent every Tuesday and Thursday evening practicing and perfecting itstheir performance.

During the Sept. 5 football game, the Alumni Band will perform the halftime show, giving the students a little more time to perfect their sound, said Michailo.

The Community News extras

Alumni Dragons sought for halftime show

Former Dragon Marching Band members will dust off their flutes and trumpets to get ready to perform during halftime of the first home varsity football game on Sept. 5.
Director John Michailo is asking anyone interested in participating to spread the word and RSVP by Sept. 2. The band can provide bigger instruments like tubas and drums, and will hold a rehearsal before the game. Music will be available Aug. 25 and the alumni band will play easy Pep Band songs without marching.
Contact Michailo at (810) 591-1856 or visit jmichailo@swcrk.org

"It's tough to have the troops ready for that first ball game when it's before school starts or even that first week," he said.

Michailo said the 96 students in band pride themselves on strong performances.

One flutist, Samantha Cole from Gaine said she likes the music this year, and thinks the band is really good.

"It's pretty fun to watch," the senior said.

Jessica Morey, a sophomore flute player from Flint, said she likes being with her friends and marching in the band.

"We work really hard over the year and the summer to make the show really good for people to watch and be entertained by it," she said.

Collin Baldwin, a freshman from Swartz Creek, said he likes the sound of the bass drum he plays.

This is his first season of marching, and he said he is looking forward to the show."We worked hard on it, and some people will enjoy it," said Baldwin.

This also is trumpet player Brandon Putnam's first season marching, and he thinks the band will perform well.

"We sound really good, and everyone says this is the best band in a while because it's not as big," said the freshman from Swartz Creek.